Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Information on Abandoned Vehicles
Abandoned Vehicles
Abandoned vehicles, on private or public property, are declared to be nuisances within the definition of the City Code of South Lake Tahoe. There are a number of city ordinances and state vehicle code laws which exist to help us abate the problem of abandoned vehicles. If you find yourself having to deal with such a circumstance, you will find some of the city ordinances and state vehicle code sections listed here, which may help you in your situation. The code enforcement officer, of the city Planning Department, is the designated city official assigned to handle abandoned vehicle abatement. You may reach the city Planning Department at 542-6020
South Lake Tahoe City Code (city ordinance)
17-23: Power of Enforcement Officer
Upon discovering the existence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle, or parts thereof, on private property or public property within the city, the enforcement officer shall have the authority to cause the abatement and removal thereof in accordance with the procedure prescribed herein.
17-24: Upon filing his report, the enforcement officer shall mail by certified mail a 10-day notice of intention to abate and remove the vehicle, or parts thereof, as a public nuisance to the owner of the land and/or to the owner of the vehicle, unless the vehicle is in such condition that identification numbers are not available to determine ownership. All vehicles will be physically tagged with 10-day towing notices of intent to abate said vehicles.
TOWING VEHICLES FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY
Property owners within the City frequently request the assistance of the police with vehicles left on their property that they would like towed away. The following will guide the employee in rendering advice and assistance to the citizen.
Where necessary to give reasonable notice, property owners must have a sign placed at the entrances to the property prohibiting parking, except for customers of the business, and state the telephone number of the Police Department. It must also state the City ordinance number, and the Vehicle Code section for towing. If the private property is "improved with a single-family dwelling," a sign need not be posted. The following is the recommended wording for a sign, not less than 17" x 22", with letters not less than 1" in height.
PARKING FOR CUSTOMERS OF ______________________ ONLY.
VIOLATORS SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION, CITE AND/OR TOW.
SLTPD 542-6100
CITY ORDINANCE #18-72 (VEHICLE CODE SECTION 22658(a))
- OR-
PARKING FOR RESIDENTS ONLY
CONSENT OF OWNER IS REQUIRED
VIOLATORS SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION, CITE, AND/OR TOW
SLTPD 542-6100
CITY ORDINANCE #18-72 (VEHICLE CODE #22658(a))
The property owner must notify the Police Department when the subject vehicle is towed to the nearest public garage.
The property owner must contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and complete form 443 to obtain the vehicle's current registered and legal owner information. The property owner must give notice in writing to such registered and legal owner of the fact of such removal, the grounds therefore, and the place to which the vehicle has been removed. A copy of the notice shall be given to the proprietor of the public garage. The following is the recommended form of notice.
TO: REGISTERED LEGAL OWNER
ADDRESS:_____________________________________
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT A _______ [YEAR] ___________________ [MAKE] ___________________ [BODY] VEHICLE, ______________[ STATE] LICENSE NUMBER WAS PARKED UPON ______________________________ [DESCRIBED PREMISES] BY A PERSON WHO WAS NOT A CUSTOMER OF _____________________________________ [NAME OF BUSINESS], OR WAS NOT A RESIDENT OF ___________________________________ [ADDRESS OF PROPERTY], AND THAT SAID VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO _______________________________________ [LOCATION OF PUBLIC GARAGE].
________________________________
SIGNATURE OF PROPERTY OWNER
If the name and address of the owner cannot be ascertained, a report must be filed with the Department of Justice, using a form provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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